Cat food is a big market with lots of choices. There are hundreds of brands on the market and wide varieties within those brands. It can be overwhelming to figure out which is best for your cat. In addition to looking at the ingredients used in the formula, here are some other factors you should consider before deciding which cat food brand your pet needs:
Age
Age is also essential factor to consider when choosing cat food. Kittens and seniors have different nutritional needs than adult cats, so choosing a food targeted towards the appropriate age group is best. For example, kittens need more calories than adult cats because they grow quickly and need plenty of energy to grow into healthy adults. Senior cats generally have lower energy requirements than adult cats, so they should be fed accordingly. Kitty health issues such as obesity or dental problems can often be addressed by adjusting your cat’s diet according to their age group and activity level (i.e., feeding them higher protein or lower calorie foods).
Additionally, pregnant and nursing mothers require particular diets that differ from traditional dry foods due to the extra nutrients needed during these times (for example: high in calcium).
Weight
If you have an overweight cat, it’s worth investigating the cause. Many medical conditions can cause feline obesity, including hyperthyroidism and diabetes. These diseases can be controlled using medication and diet but often require additional care from your vet or other healthcare professionals. You may also need to increase the intensity of your cat’s physical activity.
If your cat is underweight, consider whether there’s any underlying reason for this low weight gain—it could be related to a dietary problem (such as too much water intake), a health condition (such as kidney disease), or stress (which can manifest itself in behavioural changes like decreased appetite).
Breed
The breed of your cat will determine the nutritional requirements for its food. Some species are prone to certain conditions, and it’s important to know what they are. For example, Persian cats tend to get kidney stones and require a special diet to minimise the chance of this happening. If you have a pedigree cat, such as one from an exotic or purebred line of cats, you may need to buy specialised or “prescription” foods to meet all their needs.
Lifestyle
The first thing to consider is your cat’s lifestyle. Is she active and playful, or does she nap most of her time? Does she live indoors or outdoors? The answer to these questions will help you narrow down the best food for your cat. For example, if your feline friend is an indoor-only cat who spends most of her days relaxing on the couch (or anywhere else it’s comfortable), a dry kibble might be best for her. Activists tend to advocate against feeding cats meat-based dry foods because they can cause specific health issues—such as constipation and urinary tract infections—but there are plenty of vegetarian options available if you don’t want to purchase wet food instead.
If you have an outdoor cat who spends more time exploring than lounging around your house, however, you’ll likely opt for a wet variety that contains more protein than its dry counterpart.
Health issues
Your cat’s health is a significant concern regarding food. While some cats live their lives without ever having any problems, others have to manage some severe diseases. If your cat has diabetes or kidney disease, they need special diets to help them manage these conditions and keep them from getting worse. If your cat has heart disease, then they need to avoid certain foods so as not to worsen its situation.
It would help if you also considered allergies in your decision-making process. If you’re unsure whether or not your cat has an allergy, ask your vet about it before changing anything about its diet.
